#Hawaii State Senate

Gov. Josh Green has ordered that the US and Hawaiʻi state flags be flown at half-staff at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol and all state offices and agencies to honor former US Rep. and Hawaiʻi Senate President Colleen Hanabusa. She died March 5. Born and raised in Waiʻanae, Hanabusa was a graduate of the University of […]

The Hawaiʻi State Senate committees on Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment will hold an informational briefing next week to assess the impact of recent federal policy changes, tariffs, and funding cuts on Hawaiʻi’s agriculture industry and food production, a topic of critical concern for food security in Maui County following the August 2023 wildfires.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its schedule of informational briefings, to be held Jan. 6-28, 2025.

Earlier this week, members of the Hawaiʻi State government attended the National Forum on Education Policy in Washington D.C.

Senate Bill 1035 SD2 HD1 CD1, exempts hospitals, infirmaries, medical clinics, health care facilities, pharmacies, and medical and dental providers from General Excise Tax on goods or services that are reimbursed through Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE. If approved by the governor, this law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Eight new board members were recently appointed by Gov. Josh Green and confirmed by the Hawai’i State Senate to serve on the Early Learning Board. The appointees include Elaine Yamashita of Maui County.

On Tuesday night, State legislators approved a final version of the State’s Supplemental Budget. This measure includes operating, capital improvement projects (CIP), and grants-in-aid monies for fiscal year 2024-2025 (FY25).

Maui County’s state Senate delegation was united Monday in voting with the majority of senators to kill a bill that would have decriminalized the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana.

The Green Party Hawai’i announced that it will be on the ballot for the 2024 election. Green Party of Hawaiʻi’s first candidate to benefit from ballot access is Jackie Keefe, of Maui, who is running for State Senate seat in District 6.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Friday advanced several bills aimed at addressing key priorities for the Senate. These bills cover areas of supporting the local agriculture industry, protecting the environment against invasive species, building the workforce for the future through public education, and addressing the affordable housing shortage.

“The State needs to be better prepared for wildfires,” said Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means. “Our Committee believes these forward thinking bills make sure we are not as susceptible to another catastrophic wildfire, and that we stand ready to efficiently and strategically respond if we find ourselves facing fire again.”

The Hawaiʻi State Senate unanimously approved SB2381 SD2, which would establish a comprehensive system of public financing for candidates seeking election to state and county public offices, beginning with the 2028 general election year. The bill asserts that publicly funding the campaigns of candidates for state and county offices would increase public confidence in the State’s candidates and elected officials.

House Bill No. 2329 allocates $150,000 to establish a one-year pilot program to reduce the population of rose-ringed parakeets on the Garden Isle.

To account for the higher cost of food in the state, children in Hawai‘i will receive $59 per month, compared to $40 per month in the continental United States for meal benefits, starting this summer.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate confirmed both Judge Lisa M. Ginoza and attorney Vladimir P. Devens to the position of Associate Justice to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court.

During a three-day site visit, members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee were met by state officials and community members who delivered presentations on their plans for a range of both Governor’s and Senate priorities, including: economic and workforce development, investments in infrastructure, and the coalescing of a food innovation network. The group also discussed the future of Kahoʻolawe and Kalaupapa.

The minimum wage bill would incrementally increase the wage starting with a step increase to $12 per hour on October 1 of this year, and culminate with an increase to $18 per hour in January of 2026.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 2282, legislation that would strengthen statutory protections for abortion. The bill now goes to the state’s House of Representatives for consideration.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present new challenges for the State, the Hawaiʻi State Senate is focused on addressing these concerns and more in the upcoming legislative session.

The legislation threatens to eliminate three of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s four strategic pillars, removing the agency’s ability to do anything except marketing Hawaiʻi, while dismantling the State’s ability to effectively manage tourism for the benefit of Hawaiʻi’s residents, culture and environment.